Science
All individuals are naturally curious, which makes science an ideal subject for them to learn. Science at Saracens allows pupils to explore their world and discover new things.
It is also an active subject, containing activities such as hands-on labs and experiments. It gives them an insight of the real life experiments and creations that goes on around them. Our lessons promote challenge, resilience and creative thinking. The aim is to use all the sciences Physics, Biology and Chemistry to help create a well rounded individual.
Key Stage 3
Pupils in Year 7 and in Year 8 follow a 2-year KS3 and a 3-year GCSE, leading up to the AQA GCSE Science Foundation / Higher.
The models below are based on the following principles:
- A 14-week Autumn Term, followed by two 12-week terms per academic year.
- A focussed revision period within each topic with a review lesson post topic test.
- An average of 4 hours a week is used for science lessons
The core foci within the curriculum include:
Mathematical skills, numeracy makes up 10% of the GCSE exams including scaled graph drawing, percentage change, working out the mean, range and median. As well as working with ratios such as surface area to volume ratios.
Literacy skills: Students are expected to answer questions that require a level of analysis and evaluation of key science topics, such as whether embryonic screening should be allowed or whether euglena is an animal or plant cell. Within the GCSE Curriculum students have to be able to answer ‘6 mark’ long answer questions such as the comparison of adaptations between the camel and polar bear.
Practical skills, a sections of ‘core practical’s have been added to the curriculum. Core practical ‘must’ be carried out by the student within the laboratory and determine whether they pass the science course or not. Attendance for practical’s in year 7 is therefore necessary as it helps to build the foundation needed for GCSE. The 2 year practical KS3 curriculum will include step by step demonstrations and whole class practical experience. Students are also required to carry out data analysis and write up methods with independent, dependant and control variables.
Overall the exams will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives
AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: 40%
1) scientific ideas
2) scientific techniques and procedures.
AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of: 40%
1) scientific ideas
2) scientific enquiry, techniques and procedures.
AO3: Analyse information and ideas to: 20%
1a) interpret 1b) evaluate
2a) make judgements 2b) draw conclusions
3a) develop experimental procedures 3b) improve experimental procedures.
Year 7
Autumn 1
- Cells
- Focus: literacy
- Introduction into action in Science
- Focus: practical work
Autumn 2
- Matter
- Focus: numeracy
- Animal reproduction
- Focus: Literacy
Spring 1
- Acids and Alkalis
- Focus: practical work
- Ecosystems
- Focus: numeracy
Spring 2
- Reactions
- Focus: practical work
- Energy
- Focus: literacy
Summer 1
- Forces
- Focus: numeracy
- Electricity
- Focus: practical work
Summer 2
- Combustion
- Focus: practical work
- Fluids
- Focus: numeracy
- Food and nutrition
- Focus: literacy
Year 8
Autumn 1
- Light and sound
- Focus: numeracy
- Genetics and evolution
- Focus: Literacy
Autumn 2
- Rocks
- Focus: literacy
- Breathing and respiration
- Focus: practical
Spring 1
- Earth
- Focus: numeracy
- Unicellular organisms
- Focus: literacy
Spring 2
- Electromagnets
- Focus: numeracy
- Making salts
- Focus: practical
- Plant growth
- Focus: literacy
Summer 1
- The periodic table and atomic structure
- Focus: numeracy
- Cell structure and transport, GCSE transition:
- Focus: Literacy
Summer 2
- Energy GCSE transition
- Focus: Practical
- Separating substances GCSE transition
- Focus: Practical
Enrichment Opportunities
- Explore and Learn Science Club
- Science museum, discovering the Wonderlab trip
- Science week
Learning Resources
- https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/zng4d2p
- https://www.educationquizzes.com/ks3/science
- CGP KS3 higher revision book and workbook
- bbc bitesize subjects zng4d2p
- educationquizzes.com – science
- CGP KS3 higher revision book and workbook